The sub-prime crisis in 2007 was one of the catalysts. The resulting US economic downturn has proved to be the last straw for the US auto industry.
Detroit has cut production by more than 10% each year, from 9.5 million units in 2007 to just 6 million units expected this year.
In the face of rising employment and health care costs, GM, Ford and Chrysler have had to adapt by cutting jobs ...